where nothing can limit prayer

Posts Tagged ‘WATCHMAN’

Prayer is a mighty weapon in a believer’s hand. Edward Payson wrote to a brother: Prayer is the first thing, the second thing, the third thing necessary for a minister, especially if he have revivals. Pray, then, my dear brother, pray, pray, pray”. Jesus told his disciples “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” John 14:13.

Through PRAYER, NO

Problem that can’t be solved

Sickness that can’t be healed

Burden that can’t be lifted

Storm that can’t be weathered

Devastation that can’t be relieved

Sorrow that can’t be broken

Sinner that can’t be saved

Perishing that can’t be rescued

Fallen that can’t be lifted

Hurt that can’t be removed

Broken relationship that can’t be mended

Difference that can’t be resolved

Hindrance that can’t be shaken

Limitation that can’t be overcome

Mourning that can’t be comforted

Ashes that can’t become beauty

Heaviness that can’t be covered with garments of praise

Thirst that can’t be quenched

Dry ground that can’t be flooded

Desert that cant blossom

Congregation that can’t be revived

Preacher that can’t be anointed

Church pews that can’t be filled

Church leadership that can’t become one

Community that can’t become one

Nation that can’t be transformed

Anon.

And I must add, you can’t remain the same again. Tumbes (Kiswahili word for ‘let us pray’)

Is it to seek God’s face or his hand? We need to seek his face first. If we do so, He will gladly extend His hand. ‘When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek’ (Ps27:8 KJV).

How do you lead prayer?

Is it by coming up with requests? Key principles of prayer are that it should:

Be scripture fed

Worship based

Spirit led

When we gather, the question should not be: Do we have requests? But rather ‘let’s open our Bibles’. Let the word of God shape our praying.

The ultimate purpose of prayer is the glory of God. One powerful approach is 4/4 pattern: Upwards, Down wards, Inwards and Outwards.

1. Upwards focus – ‘Our father who art in heaven …’Matt 6:9. Open the Bible, read the passage, ask what it tells us about God and his character. Interact with each other in these truths. Worship the Lord for who He is.

2. Downward focus. Yield to Him ‘Thy kingdom come’ v.10. Surrender. Ask the Holy spirit to control us. Align your heart with his. The spirit will at this moment give you the requests.

3. Inwards – Bring requests to God. ‘Give us this day …’ v. 11. Ask Him what you need.

4. Outward focus – Readiness. ‘And lead us not …’ v.13. Now prepare for battle. Stand with the sword of the spirit. Claim promises. End with the upward stroke – ‘For thine is the kingdom …’ v.13. Glorify God. End with worship.

Adapted from The Herald of His coming, December 2011 article

MYTHS ABOUT PRAYER

This is an edited version of The power of praying together by Daniel Henderson.

People in the church already know how to pray. You Must however, lead people in learning how to pray through exhortation and example. What moves the heart of God? Look at Jesus’ and Paul’s prayer model. Be passionate and teach people to pray.

We do not need a culture of prayer to have a significant ministry. Effective ministry is not about what we do, but why, how and for whom. We need to spend time in God’s presence. We need to be Acts I leaders devoted continually in prayer.

Private prayer is more important than corporate prayer. Both are essential. The greatest tool the devil can use would be that which would make Christians not to pray together. The early church prayed as one.

Prayer ministry will grow without leadership. You cannot point the way, you must lead the way. The prayer level of the church or your group seldom rises above the personal commitment and example of the leader/senior pastor. Pick/appoint people to assist you. The devil will not work to destroy you but to distract you. Set your priorities right.

A pastor/leader must be a prayer giant. You do not need to. Just start doing it and keep doing it. When you start praying with others, you start praying yourself.

Because it is prayer, my motives will always be pure. The main motive in prayer should be GOD IS WORTHY TO BE SOUGHT. Other motives like praying out of guilt, for church growth so that we may have a name, revival for the sake of excitement etc should never be tolerated. Seek his face, not his hand.

Because it is prayer, my methods will always be effective. They may not; you need a balanced biblical approach to lead prayer. See notes on the prayer leader.

Additional prayer leaders will automatically emerge. We must train confident leaders for growing prayer ministry. Train them and help them to feel confident in prayer.

People will flock to prayer if I just lead the way. Do not expect a big crowd when God is the only attraction. Because it is prayer, many people may not turn up, but do not give up.

Prayer ministry will always be easy and enjoyable. Though prayer can bring joy and intimacy with God, it can also bring battle with the enemy. Beware of the pride divide ie, looking down on prayerless. Let us desire to lead people into his presence.

Eze 33:7Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.

Ps 127:1b … unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchmen stand guard in vain

Ps 121:3b-4… He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

God places his children in the position of watchmen. We are to cry, alert others or even call upon the heavens to stand by our side and give us victory. We are made in the image of our father – He is the master watchman. He never slumbers. He never sleeps. He is the best to watch over us. Likewise He has called us to work with him in the places he places us.

What do you expect to be the characteristic of the watchmen He expects us to be. I see someone who is spiritually alert, a person who does not succumb to spiritual slumber. I see someone who is brave standing in a vantage position, with a trumpet in his hands and feet well shod to in readiness to serve his master. I see someone with access to a higher being for support. I imagine someone who is fearless and who can’t compromise. I expect him/her to have wisdom, knowledge, understanding and discernment. I expect this watchmen to daily draw his strength from the Lord in an intimate fellowship. He/she should differentiate voices and learn to hear from the Holy Spirit, and be fully led by him. I believe therefore the prayers we should pray should have some semblance with the ones below:

Lord Jesus, thank you for choosing me to be a watchman among your people

I look unto you for help, for unless you watch over me, or watch over my city, my work will be in vain

Open my eyes to see, my ears to hear, and melt everything that hinders serving you in my life

Make me sensitive to your voice and your direction

Let fear depart from my life from this moment in Jesus name. I receive a spirit of courage in Jesus name

Romans 8:16-17: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

A blog reaching out to victims of abuse and others in need, providing insight about abuse, hope for the future, and guidance to see THE LIGHT that lead Secret Angel out of the darkness of her own abusive situation and helped her to not only survive but to overcome.